Disclaimer: Not mine....yada yada yada
Author's Note: I've got to tell you guys that I'm very excited about this fic! * giggles happily * I can't hardly wait to write it all! Uhm, some new stuff going on here, no 1xR just yet but be patient, its coming. Well, go on and get reading and don't forget to review.
Mend These Broken Wings
Chapter Two: Rising From the Ashes
three years later...
Rena entered the bar silently, letting her pale blue eyes take in the people in the room. Most of them were outlaws, homeless gunslingers made so by the Imperial Order. The war had not been kind to them. Hell, it hadn't been kind to anyone. The day Earth and the Colonies had been invaded had been the day mankind had lost their peace. Their freedom. The hordes of the Order had swept down on them and their had been no mercy. Those who had survived were forced to become slaves for the new Empress or become outlaws in their own world. Destined to live short lives and long deaths.
The Imperial Order had come from a neighboring star system that was very advanced in military technology. And they weren't human. They did basically look like a human, but their skin sparkled like it was dusted with diamonds and their eyes were slanted like a cats. Their hair was usually a pale green or blue and it wasn't denied that they were a handsome race. Bloodthirsty and beautiful, their starships had destroyed the unarmed colonies with ease. And everyone knew there were no gundams...It had turned out that Princess Relena's pacifist ways had caused the downfall of ESUN and mankind. Without weapons they could not fight back and the only one who might have led them was dead.
So was Relena Peacecraft.
It was rumored that she had died about three years ago, just before the first wave of Imperial soldiers of the race of A'rateken, invaded Earth. Some said it was of a broken heart, others that she had been a victim of an assassination attempt. Either way, she was gone, and a new leader rose in her place. Rena Bladeheart, called the Black Dove by some, an outlaw who carried a unique laser whip and led a band of rebels against the A'rateken. A toughened soldier that stood for the last hope of mankind. A last chance of reclaiming the tattered world that had been stolen from them.
Using guerrilla warfare tactics she led her small band of rebels against the A'rateken troops, sabotaging their ships and systematically killing their officers until the A'rateken had grown a strong hatred for the group. The world was at war again and there was no end in sight.
Rena Bladeheart took a seat at the bar calmly, motioning for the bartender to bring her the usual. She tugged her dark cloak closer around her to hide the laser whip at her waist and the amazing display of daggers that were hidden in various places about her person. She usually didn't come to places like this but it was the best way to learn what was going on and the rebels could use any advantage they could get.
"Anything new today?" She asked the bartender as he slid her drink to her. He shook his head.
"It's been surprisingly quiet the last couple days." He said, going back to polishing the bar. "They seem to be focusing on something other than troubling us normal folk."
Rena allowed a slight smile to cross her face before looking down into the amber liquid in front of her. "Any ideas?"
"Not really. I'm just glad that they-" He broke off as the doors to the tavern suddenly burst open with a supernatural gust of wind. Nearby patrons shivered and cowered in their cloaks as a tall figure passed them, his sights on the bartender.
"A Battle Mage." The bartender mumbled under his breath to Rena. She nodded once, she had known the moment the A'rateken had walked in. She knew all the mages by heart, having had run ins with them several times. The Battle Mages used a peculiar form of magic that had something to do with magnetic fields and the energy that radiated from the planet and the sun. Their wonders were quite breathtaking to see and the Mages were not to be taken lightly. There were four of them and, when assembled all together, they would be unstoppable. Good thing they squabbled among themselves or the rebellion would never have stood a chance.
This ones' name was Takuya.
"I am looking for the rebel known as Bladeheart. The Empress is offering a reward to anyone who has information as to her whereabouts." He announced, suddenly. His voice like a snake slithering through tall grass. His slitted pupils gazed around the room, and when no one stepped up, he focused on a teenage girl next to him. Without moving a finger the girl floated up and over to him. The poor girl stifled a shriek as the Mage reached out a glittering hand and captured the girl's wrist painfully. "Well, if no one here wants to talk then I shall have to...interrogate this young woman to get the truth. I'm sure she will tell me what I want to know."
"We don't know anything!" The girl's mother cried out angrily. Takuya threw her a pitying glance.
"Well, then, you shouldn't mind if I talk with your daughter. If she has nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear."
He turned away, girl in tow, and Rena rose smoothly, knowing he would sense the movement. He did, and his response was to throw the girl to one side and turn to fire an energy blast at her. It missed her and she snapped her wrist, letting her laser whip fly out and sting his cheek. He growled and she called the whip back as blood dripped down his face. He reached up a hand and touched the cut, a grim smile on his face.
"You see?" She said, softly to the people around her. "They bleed just like us."
Then, before he could react, she took a flying leap through the nearest window, landing outside in a shower of glass shards. A fire blast followed her but she rolled to the side and it exploded harmlessly in the street. Rena disappeared into the shadows as a growl of fury erupted behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone had changed with the coming of the Imperial Order. The rebels under the leadership of Rena Bladeheart had shed their past selves for new identities in the changing world.
Duo Maxwell's name had been erased. He was known now only as the God of Death, and only the rebels dared use his real name. He was a war general and, when exhausted, he still sometimes limped from a old injury. Surprisingly, he still retained his sense of humor and he was almost the only one who could draw a smile from Rena Darkblade.
Trowa Barton was now the masked weapons specialist that supplied the rebellion with high tech assault weapons. He spoke little but he never been a one for big speeches. He came and went with the wind, but his loyalties would always lie with the rebellion.
Quatre Winner had lost eleven sisters to the A'rateken, some taken away as slaves, others killed in countless battles. His surviving family had been relocated to safe houses where the rebellion offered their protection. He had matured gratefully. He had lost the little boy face and replaced that with the strong face of a man who had resigned himself to war. His eyes were harder now, filled with the pain of giving up his dreams of a peaceful life. Still, he served in the role of tactician and he had never steered any of them wrong.
Wufei Chang was their fiercest warrior. His demand for justice was a bottomless pit he filled with the blood of his enemies. He was never satisfied after a battle and the only one who could hold him back was Sally Po, their best spy. She desperately waged her own battle to save some part of the Chinese warrior's humanity and so far, she had managed it.
Catherine Bloom had been taken as a slave a year and a half ago. She had become Trowa's private mission and they all hoped that she was still alive.
Hilde had the A'rateken running scared. She and Duo had been working secretly on a war machine they said would come in handy someday. They told Rena little about it, for the less everyone knew, the better. It was more than half-finished but no one had seen it yet.
Milliardo and Lucretzia Peacecraft were off organizing other rebel forces in other areas. There hope was to raise an army that would have a chance of fighting the A'rateken military.
Dorothy had disappeared.
Duo looked up as Rena entered the underground compound looking angry and exhausted. He watched her for a moment, noticing anew all the changes that had taken place in the last three years. She was thinner now, her light frame curved as was fitting of a girl of twenty one. Her hair was long and the same brilliant dark gold he had always known, but her eyes were a different story. They were no longer a merry sky blue, but a pale blue-silver that reflected only sorrow. Her personality was different, too. She no longer laughed and asked all her curious little questions as she had done years ago. That seventeen year old girl was gone. It saddened him immensely to see her like this. He knew that after Heero's death she would change, but he hadn't expected her to lock herself away like this. She had denounced her name and taken up a position that would one day get her killed. And what was more, she didn't care. She lived only for the rebellion and if anything happened to them, he knew she would die. One good thing that had come out of all of this was that they had a closer relationship. He confided in her and sometimes, if he was lucky, he could draw her out of her shell. He never talked to her about Hilde, though. He was afraid that it would remind her too much of Heero and he couldn't stand to see her cry. Every tear was a reminder of how he had been unable to help his best friend. Sometimes he dreamt that he was on that escape pod again and he was able to pull Heero inside, able to save his friend by just being a little bit faster...a little stronger...but he would always wake up.
"Hey, Rena." He called, waving her over to him. She came up to him, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. As she neared he got a good look at her face and he was glad that the others were asleep. "Rough day?"
"I ran into Takuya." She replied, sliding into a chair with a fluid grace. "I'm afraid I ruined any chance we might have had at friendship."
Duo chuckled. "I hope you gave him a new scar or two." He answered.
"Yes." She replied softly, and he sobered immediately.
"There's something on your mind, Rena." He said, looking into those pale eyes of hers. She glanced away from him.
"It's nothing."
He exploded.
"Damn it, Relena!" He shouted, slamming a fist on the table in front of him. She flinched at his use of her real name but he couldn't stop himself. "I thought we had an understanding? I thought you trusted us." His voice got softer. "I thought you trusted me."
There was perfect silence for a moment and then her quavering voice broke his anger.
"Duo?"
He looked over at her and felt his heart break as tears glistened in her sad eyes. He came to her and embraced her gently and after a moment she threw her arms around his waist and buried her head in his chest, her quiet sobs drifting up to him.
"I miss him so much, Duo." She whispered brokenly. Closing his eyes in pain, he stroked her hair and let her cry.
"So do I, ojousan, so do I."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Darkness was all he had ever known. He had never felt the light. He was made of shadows, the essence of dusk.
~The ambulance is on its way, just lie still~
Ah, the voices again. They kept him company in the darkness, though he didn't really understand what they were saying. When he was more focused he thought he knew the voices, but today it was hard to know them.
~Did you see?~
Confusion. The darkness was all he ever saw, there was nothing else.
~Are you lost?~
He thought maybe he was and that maybe he needed to be found.
~I've been lost from the day I was born~
Born? Was he dead then? Those words seemed to hold little meaning for him.
~I will destroy you~
Pain, he was sure that's what he was feeling. He hadn't felt anything for a long time and now...
~Don't run away from me~
It was excruciating. He was on fire, he was burning.
~I'm on your side now.~
He tried to scream but he had forgotten how...
~I won't let you~
~I don't want you to fight anymore.~
~Promise me you won't leave without saying goodbye~
~Please~
The light. It hurt him. The darkness was receding and the light was touching him, beckoning him. It enveloped him and he took his first breath in ages...
~I believe in you~
~Heero~
He had been found.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, * bites her nails * was it good? Okay? Sucked the big one? * falls on the floor from nervous exhaustion * I have been writing this for five hours because I'm in love with this idea and I can't wait to get it all out. Hope this was good and please review!
Oh, and if you have any ideas that you would like to see in this fic feel free to put it in a review! I love creative stuff!
Thanks for reading! * hugs *
Author's Note: I've got to tell you guys that I'm very excited about this fic! * giggles happily * I can't hardly wait to write it all! Uhm, some new stuff going on here, no 1xR just yet but be patient, its coming. Well, go on and get reading and don't forget to review.
Mend These Broken Wings
Chapter Two: Rising From the Ashes
three years later...
Rena entered the bar silently, letting her pale blue eyes take in the people in the room. Most of them were outlaws, homeless gunslingers made so by the Imperial Order. The war had not been kind to them. Hell, it hadn't been kind to anyone. The day Earth and the Colonies had been invaded had been the day mankind had lost their peace. Their freedom. The hordes of the Order had swept down on them and their had been no mercy. Those who had survived were forced to become slaves for the new Empress or become outlaws in their own world. Destined to live short lives and long deaths.
The Imperial Order had come from a neighboring star system that was very advanced in military technology. And they weren't human. They did basically look like a human, but their skin sparkled like it was dusted with diamonds and their eyes were slanted like a cats. Their hair was usually a pale green or blue and it wasn't denied that they were a handsome race. Bloodthirsty and beautiful, their starships had destroyed the unarmed colonies with ease. And everyone knew there were no gundams...It had turned out that Princess Relena's pacifist ways had caused the downfall of ESUN and mankind. Without weapons they could not fight back and the only one who might have led them was dead.
So was Relena Peacecraft.
It was rumored that she had died about three years ago, just before the first wave of Imperial soldiers of the race of A'rateken, invaded Earth. Some said it was of a broken heart, others that she had been a victim of an assassination attempt. Either way, she was gone, and a new leader rose in her place. Rena Bladeheart, called the Black Dove by some, an outlaw who carried a unique laser whip and led a band of rebels against the A'rateken. A toughened soldier that stood for the last hope of mankind. A last chance of reclaiming the tattered world that had been stolen from them.
Using guerrilla warfare tactics she led her small band of rebels against the A'rateken troops, sabotaging their ships and systematically killing their officers until the A'rateken had grown a strong hatred for the group. The world was at war again and there was no end in sight.
Rena Bladeheart took a seat at the bar calmly, motioning for the bartender to bring her the usual. She tugged her dark cloak closer around her to hide the laser whip at her waist and the amazing display of daggers that were hidden in various places about her person. She usually didn't come to places like this but it was the best way to learn what was going on and the rebels could use any advantage they could get.
"Anything new today?" She asked the bartender as he slid her drink to her. He shook his head.
"It's been surprisingly quiet the last couple days." He said, going back to polishing the bar. "They seem to be focusing on something other than troubling us normal folk."
Rena allowed a slight smile to cross her face before looking down into the amber liquid in front of her. "Any ideas?"
"Not really. I'm just glad that they-" He broke off as the doors to the tavern suddenly burst open with a supernatural gust of wind. Nearby patrons shivered and cowered in their cloaks as a tall figure passed them, his sights on the bartender.
"A Battle Mage." The bartender mumbled under his breath to Rena. She nodded once, she had known the moment the A'rateken had walked in. She knew all the mages by heart, having had run ins with them several times. The Battle Mages used a peculiar form of magic that had something to do with magnetic fields and the energy that radiated from the planet and the sun. Their wonders were quite breathtaking to see and the Mages were not to be taken lightly. There were four of them and, when assembled all together, they would be unstoppable. Good thing they squabbled among themselves or the rebellion would never have stood a chance.
This ones' name was Takuya.
"I am looking for the rebel known as Bladeheart. The Empress is offering a reward to anyone who has information as to her whereabouts." He announced, suddenly. His voice like a snake slithering through tall grass. His slitted pupils gazed around the room, and when no one stepped up, he focused on a teenage girl next to him. Without moving a finger the girl floated up and over to him. The poor girl stifled a shriek as the Mage reached out a glittering hand and captured the girl's wrist painfully. "Well, if no one here wants to talk then I shall have to...interrogate this young woman to get the truth. I'm sure she will tell me what I want to know."
"We don't know anything!" The girl's mother cried out angrily. Takuya threw her a pitying glance.
"Well, then, you shouldn't mind if I talk with your daughter. If she has nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear."
He turned away, girl in tow, and Rena rose smoothly, knowing he would sense the movement. He did, and his response was to throw the girl to one side and turn to fire an energy blast at her. It missed her and she snapped her wrist, letting her laser whip fly out and sting his cheek. He growled and she called the whip back as blood dripped down his face. He reached up a hand and touched the cut, a grim smile on his face.
"You see?" She said, softly to the people around her. "They bleed just like us."
Then, before he could react, she took a flying leap through the nearest window, landing outside in a shower of glass shards. A fire blast followed her but she rolled to the side and it exploded harmlessly in the street. Rena disappeared into the shadows as a growl of fury erupted behind her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Everyone had changed with the coming of the Imperial Order. The rebels under the leadership of Rena Bladeheart had shed their past selves for new identities in the changing world.
Duo Maxwell's name had been erased. He was known now only as the God of Death, and only the rebels dared use his real name. He was a war general and, when exhausted, he still sometimes limped from a old injury. Surprisingly, he still retained his sense of humor and he was almost the only one who could draw a smile from Rena Darkblade.
Trowa Barton was now the masked weapons specialist that supplied the rebellion with high tech assault weapons. He spoke little but he never been a one for big speeches. He came and went with the wind, but his loyalties would always lie with the rebellion.
Quatre Winner had lost eleven sisters to the A'rateken, some taken away as slaves, others killed in countless battles. His surviving family had been relocated to safe houses where the rebellion offered their protection. He had matured gratefully. He had lost the little boy face and replaced that with the strong face of a man who had resigned himself to war. His eyes were harder now, filled with the pain of giving up his dreams of a peaceful life. Still, he served in the role of tactician and he had never steered any of them wrong.
Wufei Chang was their fiercest warrior. His demand for justice was a bottomless pit he filled with the blood of his enemies. He was never satisfied after a battle and the only one who could hold him back was Sally Po, their best spy. She desperately waged her own battle to save some part of the Chinese warrior's humanity and so far, she had managed it.
Catherine Bloom had been taken as a slave a year and a half ago. She had become Trowa's private mission and they all hoped that she was still alive.
Hilde had the A'rateken running scared. She and Duo had been working secretly on a war machine they said would come in handy someday. They told Rena little about it, for the less everyone knew, the better. It was more than half-finished but no one had seen it yet.
Milliardo and Lucretzia Peacecraft were off organizing other rebel forces in other areas. There hope was to raise an army that would have a chance of fighting the A'rateken military.
Dorothy had disappeared.
Duo looked up as Rena entered the underground compound looking angry and exhausted. He watched her for a moment, noticing anew all the changes that had taken place in the last three years. She was thinner now, her light frame curved as was fitting of a girl of twenty one. Her hair was long and the same brilliant dark gold he had always known, but her eyes were a different story. They were no longer a merry sky blue, but a pale blue-silver that reflected only sorrow. Her personality was different, too. She no longer laughed and asked all her curious little questions as she had done years ago. That seventeen year old girl was gone. It saddened him immensely to see her like this. He knew that after Heero's death she would change, but he hadn't expected her to lock herself away like this. She had denounced her name and taken up a position that would one day get her killed. And what was more, she didn't care. She lived only for the rebellion and if anything happened to them, he knew she would die. One good thing that had come out of all of this was that they had a closer relationship. He confided in her and sometimes, if he was lucky, he could draw her out of her shell. He never talked to her about Hilde, though. He was afraid that it would remind her too much of Heero and he couldn't stand to see her cry. Every tear was a reminder of how he had been unable to help his best friend. Sometimes he dreamt that he was on that escape pod again and he was able to pull Heero inside, able to save his friend by just being a little bit faster...a little stronger...but he would always wake up.
"Hey, Rena." He called, waving her over to him. She came up to him, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. As she neared he got a good look at her face and he was glad that the others were asleep. "Rough day?"
"I ran into Takuya." She replied, sliding into a chair with a fluid grace. "I'm afraid I ruined any chance we might have had at friendship."
Duo chuckled. "I hope you gave him a new scar or two." He answered.
"Yes." She replied softly, and he sobered immediately.
"There's something on your mind, Rena." He said, looking into those pale eyes of hers. She glanced away from him.
"It's nothing."
He exploded.
"Damn it, Relena!" He shouted, slamming a fist on the table in front of him. She flinched at his use of her real name but he couldn't stop himself. "I thought we had an understanding? I thought you trusted us." His voice got softer. "I thought you trusted me."
There was perfect silence for a moment and then her quavering voice broke his anger.
"Duo?"
He looked over at her and felt his heart break as tears glistened in her sad eyes. He came to her and embraced her gently and after a moment she threw her arms around his waist and buried her head in his chest, her quiet sobs drifting up to him.
"I miss him so much, Duo." She whispered brokenly. Closing his eyes in pain, he stroked her hair and let her cry.
"So do I, ojousan, so do I."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Darkness was all he had ever known. He had never felt the light. He was made of shadows, the essence of dusk.
~The ambulance is on its way, just lie still~
Ah, the voices again. They kept him company in the darkness, though he didn't really understand what they were saying. When he was more focused he thought he knew the voices, but today it was hard to know them.
~Did you see?~
Confusion. The darkness was all he ever saw, there was nothing else.
~Are you lost?~
He thought maybe he was and that maybe he needed to be found.
~I've been lost from the day I was born~
Born? Was he dead then? Those words seemed to hold little meaning for him.
~I will destroy you~
Pain, he was sure that's what he was feeling. He hadn't felt anything for a long time and now...
~Don't run away from me~
It was excruciating. He was on fire, he was burning.
~I'm on your side now.~
He tried to scream but he had forgotten how...
~I won't let you~
~I don't want you to fight anymore.~
~Promise me you won't leave without saying goodbye~
~Please~
The light. It hurt him. The darkness was receding and the light was touching him, beckoning him. It enveloped him and he took his first breath in ages...
~I believe in you~
~Heero~
He had been found.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, * bites her nails * was it good? Okay? Sucked the big one? * falls on the floor from nervous exhaustion * I have been writing this for five hours because I'm in love with this idea and I can't wait to get it all out. Hope this was good and please review!
Oh, and if you have any ideas that you would like to see in this fic feel free to put it in a review! I love creative stuff!
Thanks for reading! * hugs *